Ginger-Molasses Reindeer Cookies

Submitted by maryjjohnson34

"Whether you're participating in a cookie exchange with friends or making a treat for St. Nick, add these adorable reindeer cookies to your holiday baking this year."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 35

ingredients

• 1 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1⁄4 cup molasses
• 70 miniature pretzel twists
• 1 (200 g) package prepared red cookie icing
• 70 candies, eyeballs

directions

1. Heat oven to 325F (160C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt and cloves.
3. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes. Add egg and molasses, mixing until fully combined. In 2 equal parts, add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
4. Roll dough into 1 tablespoons (15 mL) balls and place on prepared baking sheets 1 1/2 inches apart, pressing down lightly with palm. Place two pretzels next to one another 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) inside the edge of each cookie to resemble antlers; press pretzels lightly to adhere to cookie dough.
5. Bake in batches until just set; about 12 minutes. Let cool 4 minutes on sheets before cooling completely on racks. Once cooled, use cookie icing to adhere candy eyeballs to cookies and draw noses. Allow to set completely.